Indulge a little
We are always living out a beautiful commitment to living well. We strive to embody virtues of well-being. Though, inevitably some live better than others. I think I happen to be one of those people. Biased, perhaps. You might even say conceited. That’s part of it though — you have to think you’re doing it better, or else why do it at all? I’ll offer my little philosophy. It’s a wonderfully delicate balance between frivolous gluttony and resolved enjoyment.
Sweet treats
I savor a treat a day. Sweet isn’t meant to imply it needs to be a sugary indulgence, rather more a comment on the sweetness of the experience. There’s an important quality to the treat that makes it so very decadent. You’re confused if you think there’s not a right way to enjoy a snack. It’s far from thoughtless. It's a ritual. You’re supporting your local bakery, sitting outside of Uppercrust tearing apart a flaky almond croissant made with French-imported butter. Or sipping a hand-shaken cortado from Concord made by our very own Sofia Sepelli. Chocolate ice cream from Trader Joes but with a drizzle of olive oil and flaky salt.
Loafing
One really ought to just sit about sometimes. It’s not necessarily about being meditative or thoughtful. Rather, I urge you to simply lounge. Allow yourself to be distracted. Stare at people. Slouch, sigh and sink. Bask in the feeling of just doing nothing at all — something like listlessness, boredom or purposelessness that is soft and simple.
Pretty little things
I’ve been called materialistic a few too many times before. Not that I am ever offended — I merely pity how sad it would be to live such a thoughtless, tasteless, uncurated life. (I kid.) It’s true… I may buy a few too many pretty little things. I strive towards curation. To seek out the ones which fill me with joy, satisfaction and pride. These are accomplishments, like a treasure chest. It’s my collection of rings, each from an important woman in my life. My vintage champagne coupes. The flaky Maldon salt I finish every meal with. My signature deep red matte lipstick. A vintage YSL top I thrifted that I have never worn but I love looking at. The ceramic matcha set my sister bought me. All embodiments of love, memory, and intention. Beauty can’t be excessive.
Being for others
There’s something so distinctly beautiful about the feeling of walking around holding flowers you bought for someone special. Collecting postcards to send to loved ones. A meal feels richer, warmer when shared with a friend — the kind of meal you take time to prepare, carefully plate, and make beautiful just for them. Or seeing a pastry and deciding to pick it up as a surprise for a loved one. There’s a distinct joy, a grounding sense of purpose, in small, thoughtful gestures of care. To be for another is a devotion of the sweetest kind — a quiet, everyday love that is always creating wonder in the mundane.
Indulgence. It’s an honoring of our values — committing your time and thought to living out what matters to you. To live with intention and care.
The indulgence is really in opening yourself up to mindful pleasure. Curating instances of beauty in your day. Living as a form of loving. Life ought to be magnificent.
So, indulge a little.
Strike out,
Writer: Naina Chauhan
Editor: Olivia Hansen
Naina Chauhan is an editorial director for Strike Magazine GNV. She is a simple girl — she just loves a good treat. You can find her vintage shopping, buying sourdough at Vine Bakery or drinking an iced cortado at Curia. You can reach out to her on Instagram @nainanchauhan_, or by email at nnchauhan03@gmail.com
